ONE OF the biggest signings in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) over the off-season returned to her old side last night, as Isobel Borlase led the Bendigo Spirit to an eight-point win over the Adelaide Lightning.

Borlase and the Spirit headed south to take on the Lightning at the South Australia State Basketball Centre in the final game of the round on Tuesday night, with the home side looking to upset the reigning champions, who have only gotten stronger over the off-season with their additions.

Although the Lightning were willing to take it right up to the championship contenders, a strong run from the Spirit on either side of quarter time proved definitive in getting Bendigo on top. The visitors never trailed after quarter time and although Adelaide was never willing to give up the fight, the Spirit were simply too good, holding on for an eight-point victory.

Borlase showed her star credentials in her first return to Adelaide, leading the way for Bendigo with a massive double-double in front of her former home crowd, overcoming some foul trouble in the first half as well.

Adelaide Lightning (74) def. by Bendigo Spirit (82)

Isobel Borlase – 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals

The WNBL’s second-leading scorer was at her brilliant best against her old side on Tuesday night, stuffing the stat sheet with a huge performance to show why she is one of the biggest contenders for the MVP award early in the season.

She opened her account with a nice driving layup a few minutes into the contest, before heading to the bench earlier than expected due to an early foul. Borlase returned to the fold shortly after and immediately made an impact with a steal and a layup in transition to set the tone for her side. She continued to find success driving into the lane and finishing at the cup, and already had eight points to her name at the first change.

Borlase started the second frame in perfect fashion, nailing a nice jumpshot through contact from the defender for an and-one, which she converted. Another fadeaway jumper followed a couple of minutes later, and it was a bad sign for the opposition that the Opal’s shooting was starting to deliver consistently, although her ability to finish in the paint was still providing offence as well.

Borlase’s passing and rebounding began to play a big role in the match as well, as the defence struggled to keep the ball out of her hands. She unfortunately committed her third foul with some time on the clock in the second frame, so her court time was limited, but there was no denying the superstar’s impact on the contest.

She returned to the fold to start the second half, and although it was not as productive as her performance in the first two quarters, Borlase was still able to make an impact. The Spirit gun was relentless on the glass and kept finding her teammates with strong vision and execution to ensure Bendigo remained in front at the final change.

Borlase hit the scoreboard early in the final frame with another driving layup through contact for her second and-one of the match, showing her strength and class. Her ability to either finish in the paint or draw contact and convert at the free throw line was a reliable source of scoring for the Spirit, and she closed out the match with some strong offence from inside.

Borlase ended the match with 24 points on 9/13 shooting from the field and an efficient 6/6 shooting from the charity stripe to go with her 11 rebounds, five dimes and three steals. Although the occasion could have got to her, the star showed plenty of mental resolve to deliver one of her strongest performances of the season.